Century Marks

Feb 24, 2009

Saint power: Though they were both Catholics, Dorothy Day and Cardinal Francis Spellman were polar opposites. Day was a pacifist, a onetime communist and an outspoken critic of American policies. Spellman was known for his social, political and theological conservatism. Yet Spellman was stunned when some American Catholics implored him to silence Day. In declining to do so, Spellman explained, “She might be a saint.” No bishop or cardinal would want to be remembered for having censured someone the church would later canonize as a saint (Spiritual Life, Winter).